What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order.
Comment: I can hear a lot of objections to this portion of scripture. My firm belief is that all of the Bible is the Word of God and to be taken seriously. I can hear some who are very ‘enthusiastic’ in their worship style being upset by the orderliness stressed at the beginning and I can hear some of the very ‘set-in-their-ways’, very formal denominations being upset by such orders as ‘Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.‘
On the other hand when Paul talks about ‘the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.‘ I can hear a great shout of ‘unfair, sexist, unbelievable!’ and so on. I didn’t write the passage above but I would note that the scriptures never belittle women. They never give men/husbands the right to be domineering, unprepared to discuss and listen to their mothers/wives. Not coming from this passage, but I think very relevant to it, in my thinking, two of the major things causing problems in our world today are a) failure to acknowledge God as Creator and the ‘Rightful Setter of Standards, and b) the breakdown of the Biblical setup of Christian marriage.
Prayer: Please help me to avoid legalism like poison, but maintain faithfulness to all of Your Word!
As I read it! 